Gupagam Forest

Nakshathra knew it was risky to be on the other side of the hill with just two of them but if she can get closer, she could at least get some useful information. They moved in apprehension and trepidation, shielding themselves behind overly grown shrubs. A stretch of empty land ran along the perimeter of the hill, a clearing that provided them clear view of the onslaught from the top of the hill. She treaded warily from shrubs to shrubs until she could hear them.

"... tiring. I need boost." One of the men said in a different dialect, widely used on the western part of Lambodara. The dialect usage had strengthened her doubt, the abductors hailed from Durja or somewhere close to Durja perhaps Takash or Arhat and the man they had knocked out was a Kavishian, for sure. As she pondered longer, the count on missing people hasn't stopped as they thought, there were more disappearance left unaccounted. If her calculation were right, her people were now being taken away through mountains and out using a foreign port on a ship or a ratha vimana, the flying chariot after they had seized all other ports.

Nakshathra mentally scouted her possibilities of knocking them off. They were all lean and short, judging by their minimal stunt act, they were no professional. Could the two of them take them down, kill two keep one? No, it's too hasty of an action. She sat behind the shrubs and tried to thing of a way, Janardan followed suit, waiting for her order.

"How do you think we should approach them? Striking an attack right away might harm us. We are not sure how many of them are around."

"By offering them valuable gifts?"

Nakshathra glanced down at the attire she wore, a simply cotton fabric saree with minimal jewelleries. "Even if I claim myself to be a princess, they won't believe for the way I look, right now."

Janardan's eyes did a quick onceover. Her crumpled and oil patched saree could never give a royal impression, he shook his head. "You look nothing like a princess," he agreed and stifled a laugh.

She threw a dry grass that did not reach him and peered back at the men resting under a tree. She should approach them in a smarter way but what.

Approach? Yes, approach them. Lure them.

The whimpering of the victim pulled her out of her thought. There was no time, the sun had reached the peak. She had to rely on her instincts and told Janardan her plan to which she immediately got a no from him.

"Listen, we can't just throw ourselves on them and assume we can bring them all down. Between the two of us, you should know better."

Janardan shook his head and whispered yell. "No. The king will have my head."

Nakshathra ignored him. "I'm going first, let's pray they don't recognise me." A grave expression hooded on her.

Nakshathra further explained her plan and touched Dhruva's dagger at her hip, the only weapon she had with her. "Wish me luck," she said and removed her jewelleries, tying them securely in a bundle with the end of the saree, she tucked them at her waist. Although she couldn't fix her puffy eyes as Janardan pointed, she made sure the rest of her looked presentable.

"You sure about it?" The gallant yet unsure guard asked. "You never did this, Nakshathra," his voice almost begging her not to pursue her plan.

"Well, there is always a first time." Nakshathra was nervous, unsure of herself either but she had to do or they will never find a closure to the concerning number of missing people growing in the country. "Now, don't discourage me." She pushed him aside and made herself visible to her prey.

As she descended the hill, Nakshathra huffed. Two hours ago, she was crying for the man who had left her with no promise to return and now she was on her way to lure some man. Will she regret the choice she made? Nakshathra could only tell when they have accomplished their little task.

She kept her focus on the three men. They have not noticed her presence but they will soon as she gets closer. She took one glance of assurance from Janardan hidden behind the shrubs.

Transforming herself to the character she had made in her mind, Nakshathra swayed her way to them like she was the princess of the forest, the bottom of her saree pulled up to her shin, her braid to the front twisting its end with her hand and chin up. She had nothing much to claim herself as the Gupagam princess so, she levelled it up with the way she walked to them, owning the forest, every inch of it.

The closer she got the more she attracted their attention. Although at first, they tried to ignore her presence towards them, they eventually gave in—all eyes on her. A little disgusted to be bathing in the lustful gazes, Nakshathra took a quivered breath and put it at the back of her head. The smallest of an information from them will be useful. The lives of her abducted citizens rely on the information she was to extract from these men.

Halting an arm distance from the heavy built man of the group, Nakshathra scrutinised each one of them back and forth like an outsider have stepped into her house. The victim laid unconscious behind them covered under empty sack bags.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my forest?" She attempted the accent as close to the forest dwellers as possible. The last time she heard them was when she was a little girl. Nakshathra prayed they don't recognise her fake accent too.

"Your forest?" The man in front of her cross-questioned, shifting his weight from one leg to another. "I didn't know this forest and an owner. Did you know?" he asked his peers to which they shrugged and laughed.

"Princess of Gupagam. The forest is under the subjugate of Gormuha for decades. Now, you answer me. Who are you and what is your business here in this forest?" she asked, her hands on her hips.

"You don't look like any kind of princess. You look so shabby." One of the men said as his eyes ran over her.

Janardan's words went past in her head. "Not every princess dress a like. Tell me who are and what are you doing here?" They certainly were not aware of her and the whereabout of the forest people. Her voice grew firm, dominant yet appealing.

"We come from the west of Lambodara. Just sightseeing," the man on the front replied.

Nakshathra laughed at their pathetic reason. "Sightseeing? This forest? You must have been out of your mind."

"No, not the forest. I meant we are heading towards Kamakshya."

"To where exactly?"

"Jarmuyil. It's been a long journey, so we stop to rest."

Jarmuyil, if her geographical memory was good than the place should be close to the sea. They were using the isolated costal to move in and out, she figured. Nakshathra knew there won't be much information to extract from them by her just asking questions like a guard. She needed to move closer, tickle their weakness.

"Why don't we sit down. After all you are guests to our forest. So, tell me your name." She attempted to look like how Ramani used to behave whenever she sees a man of her likings; inched closer, leaning towards the man. She loathed herself at the moment but Dhruva's dagger won't be much helpful if she chooses to fight now.

"I am Manu. This is Kanak and Ratan. We are small time pottery makers and decided to use the money earned to look around. What about you?" The heavy built man, Manu asked while the rest just nodded ogled at her.

"Kuyili," she immediately named herself after a cuckoo. The call of the bird had helped her at the nick of the time. "What is in that sack?" She pointed to the victim hidden under the empty sacks.

"That... is our... our things. Clothes and stuffs. We have been on the move for quite some time."

Nakshathra had a tough time to continue the conversation, it shouldn't run dry or they would start moving again and she would lose the only opportunity. If they ever spill the name of the person behind the kidnapping, she might have a better direction and clarity to find the rest. Nakshathra tried her best to keep them engaged and after a series of questions she offered if they would like to have refreshments. Using the moment, she requested one of them to get those tender coconuts freshly harvest a little further from them where Janardan awaits to take them down.

"I'm so sorry for sending you. I know you are the guest but—" she was interrupted by a new voice.

"No. Not a problem at all. You are the princess, you just command, Your Highness." Ratan spoke for the first time and headed to the direction she had shown him. Eager to be back soon, he quicken his pace.

Good, at least one responded to something. However, Manu and Kanak weren't happy with Ratan volunteering to get the coconuts. They stared at Ratan's retreating back for a long time. She cleared her throat and ran her finger on Manu's built arms. A thousand needles pricked her skin as she did.

"So ... what do you do other than pottery?" She seductively gazed at Kanak who was trying hard to not fall on her trap, his hand played with the tiny stones on the ground.

On the other hand, Manu was seemingly pleased with the closeness Nakshathra created. He flexed his arms and twisted the end of his moustache. "I lift ration loads," he claimed proudly.

"Nice... We don't get to see men with big arms like you here. All are skinny and small but you...," she flashed a smile while playing with the end of her braid. The way Manu responded; he surely had no idea how the forest dwellers look in real. Nakshathra then checked out at the direction Ratan had gone, it would have been enough time for Janardan to knock Ratan down, she thought. Time to send the second.

"Oh dear! Where is your friend? It's been quite some time; the coconuts aren't too far to take this long." She displayed a fake concern as real as she could. She got on her feet and attempted to see for herself, praying for either one to stop and offer to check on their friend. And they did.

Manu called for her and sent Kanak instead. The immodest look she received from Kanak made her sick to her stomach, Nakshathra held the nearest tree for support before heading back to Manu. A similar gaze hooded in his eyes as he slowly smirked as if trying to arouse her.

Nakshathra was instead feared at the outcome. Terrified with the way he stared at her and doubted herself if she would be able to pull off her own plan. Will he be the one to take charge and not her, she dreaded? Clenching her trembling fingers, she took one step at a time maintaining the shyness and batting eyelashes.

"We are all alone now, my princess." In two big steps, Manu was less than an arm's length. His smelly sweat tickled her nostril compelling her to scrunch her nose. Gods, I have not even seen Dhruva this close. I'm sorry. Give me strength, she prayed and allowed him to inch closer.

"Didn't you say you were from the western Lambodara?" She asked, her hand playing at the end of his tunic collar.

"Durja, yes," he said faintly, inhaling the smell of her hair. "Hmm... exotic sweet smell."

"Well, a little hunt for the Arthaphool, flower of the night lily and you get the rarest of a fragrance." Nakshathra's reference of Arthaphool wasn't a fragrant flower but it was rather a poisonous one. In any unfortunate case, he escapes and decides to hunt for the flower to make a fortune out of it, Nakshathra wanted him dead for the liberty he had on her at the moment. Nevertheless, he did at least confirm the place they came from, Durja just as they all suspected.

His filthy hands roamed the back of her body, she continued to keep him talking. "I heard if someone pays a large sum, there will be people to do stuffs like abduction, is it true?" Her question had him stop, his narrowed eyes reading her. "I have a man that needs to be abducted and send far away. Do you know anyone?"

Manu laughed loud and slumped on the ground against a tree, he pulled her along to sit on his lap. "Who is this man, my princess?"

She squirmed but maintained her character. "A kinky man. Do you know anyone who does it?" She asked again pressing the matter as if it was important.

"I work for one of them." He left trails of kisses down her neck, Nakshathra shivered in disgust but held on. Bloody scum. She imagined an image of a puppy in Manu's place just so it doesn't give her nightmares but it wouldn't help, she knew.

"Re-really? Who? Is he reliable?" Nakshathra slowly reached for the dagger tucked at her waist and held it at the back of his neck, passing an impression of arms wrapped around him.

"It's a lady. Highly influential, once taken you will never get to see the man ever again. He will be sent to other parts of the world or even dead." Manu's voice muffled against her hair. His action was escalating, his lecherous lips move from her neck to shoulders while his hand slid up her leg.

"Who is this powerful lady?" Nakshathra asked her last question before she unsheathe the dagger, pierce it into his neck, tear his lips and chop his hands.

"Lady Alli and hush now, my princess. Let me devour you inch by inch. You are worth every bit of my attention." Manu's murmur against her chest, his words flew over her head except for the name. She was flabbergasted to learn it wasn't the queen of Durja the one who actually had problem with Kavish behind the missing people. Who is Alli?

Nakshathra tried to sweep through her memories or stories associated with Lady Alli but nothing turned up. She stayed numb until she felt wetness of Manu's kisses on her chest and his hand moving higher up her thigh. She couldn't risk it any longer and it was time she used the only weapon in her hand.

Like every dog has its day, Manu too had his moment of realisation when he heard the sound of her unsheathing her dagger. His hand quickly grabbed hers and propelled her to the ground with him on her.

"I should have guessed your dirty work when you went numb the second, I touched you." He hissed so close to her ears, she shivered. He mounted on her in a very demoralising way.

"It's not what you think. I had it with me all the while."

"Lie!"

Manu locked her hands over her head with one hand and the other reached for the knife she gripped tight. She tried hard to push herself away from him. As she continued to struggle her way out, the rogue's patience ran low and she was greeted with a couple of heavy punches on her cheek. His had his supremacy of throwing his first punch and she had to taste blood in her mouth. All she wanted was to wipe the smirk off his face and send him out of the world.

But Nakshathra had to put all her theoretical knowledge and the very little practice she had on him. Was she ready? She had the question run in her head for a hundredth time and the answer was, no. But she had to and there was no other choice. Nakshathra had to protect herself or she will have to bear the consequences.

With Manu on her and her hands over her head, she used her shoulder blades to move closer to her palms. The hard ground scraping her skin. She lifted her hip up with all her strength pushing him over her. Her hands were released. Manu fell flat on her face while he had his face planted to the ground, groaning in pain. Completely disorientated, Nakshathra's focus wavered for a bit to the new inflicted pain on her face and watery eye caused by his fall directly on her face.

Putting aside her pain, she gathered her strength. She can't let him have the dominance once again and immediately grabbed his torso before rolling him to the ground and threw a punch, opening her account of counter strike. Pure rage crossed his face, Manu charged her back with another blow, splitting the skin over her cheekbone. The force of his punch while on the ground was equal to when he was on her, hard and strong. Nakshathra spaced out, falling to the ground unable to bear the blow.

Her vision grew blur. No, she can't let the bad guys have their victory all the time. For years they had been smartly abducting her people, sending them away and roaming in and out of her country like they did nothing. No, this time they have to taste a little lose. Even a scratch will do.

Getting on all four and up on her feet, she staggered to keep herself steady. Manu was up on his feet too. Hot on her heels, Nakshathra aimlessly threw the dagger at him. It pierced close to his collarbone; he screeched in pain. His tormenting moment was her only time to finish him.

She leaped on Manu and wedged his neck with her arms from the back, choking him as strong as she could until he gave up, collapsing on the ground. Unsettled at his immobilised body, Nakshathra pulled out the dagger and stabbed him countless time till her heart's content. Splatter of blood marked her hand and face.

She knew he was just a mere worker for the lady but Nakshathra couldn't help herself out, for the pain she had seen the families went through for days and years. Checking at the direction she had sent two of Manu's friends, she wondered why it was taking too long for Janardan to get back. Did he managed to kill them or was he trapped instead? It was too disturbing to think of it, hoping her guard would make it just as she did, Nakshathra dragged her feet to the victim.

*-*-*-*-*

Sikva, capital city of Kavish

"What do you mean?!" Bavaneswaran fumed while he maintained his polite mannerism by joining his palms together—apologising to the revered astrologer who had come to visit the Heramba family.

It was said by many, astrologer Soumendra's reading was often true. And suggestion for betterment had always been reflected the way one wanted. When the arrival news of Soumendra reached the king's ears, the astrologer was immediately brought to the palace with utmost respect.

With several disturbing incidents that took place in the palace, Bavaneswaran wanted to know the future of his family and the kingdom. The happiness in the palace was slowly draining and so did to his kingdom. Lack of resources made him an incapable, coward king who couldn't fight for his people. Nakshathra's rebellious attitude and her constant reminder of him neglecting the rules he had held close, disturbed him, nonetheless.

Only Soumendra could provide him some reassurance for things to fall back to its place. They had him read signs for all the members and it had been so far pleasing to the ear and heart. Nakshathra's turn came in and Umayal handed Nakshathra's horoscope script to Soumendra to read.

He read through the chart over and over again, heavy silence engulfed the room. His intense gaze locked on the chart while he moved his fingers as if calculating imaginary numbers. A quick glance at Bavaneswaran, Soumendra pulled out a small sack of Cowrie shells and held it tight in his palm before throwing them on the table.

Soumendra's look wasn't pleasant, his scrunched face and shake of his head did not give them good vibes. Everyone in the chamber waited anxiously to hear Soumendra's prediction on Nakshathra.

He cleared his throat and glance over each one in the chamber to have their already stuck attention to him. "Rajakumari Nakshathra will have a successful life. A life of an esteemed queen." For the first time since Soumendra took Nakshathra's horoscope chart did, everyone's face lit up. Some heaved a sigh of relieve.

"But," he continued. "Danger always finds her. No matter the number of defences, her life will always be at risk. With family, friends or enemy..." Lightness which burst into the chamber was sucked back in no time. "It may sound hard to hear but you need to take care of her because her life will always be at risk."

"Oh, God! What am I hearing? I hope she is fine; I haven't seen her since last night. His words are making me worried. Where did she go?" Umayal's sobs filled the chamber.

*-*-*-*

Gupagam Forest

The victim was still unconscious when she yanked the sack off him. "Ayya! Ayya! Wake up, can you hear me?" She slapped his cheek attempting to get him back to consciousness. After several hard taps on his cheeks, the man groaned. Hope flooded in her, at least she had saved him but it did not sustain for long when something solid hit on her head.

She yelped. Another hit on the same spot and everything was seen as double, blurry. "I knew something was wrong when these bastards did not reach the camp on time," a voice raged. She spun to catch a glimpse of a lady and she was greeted with a hard kick on her back. "Bloody wretch!" The lady spat and grabbed a fistful of Nakshathra's hair.

Nakshathra met a pair of eyes filled with hate and lack of everything that defines human. The lady's covered face made it even harder for her to guess the identity but it was enough to make out the lady was Alli.

"Oh my! Look who we have here?" Alli's eyes widen in surprise, she was probably smiling beneath the cover. Dropping the log she held in her hand, Alli squatted next to her. "Princess Nakshathra Heramba," she said her name as if they were bitter to even think about.

"Who are you? Why are you doing this?" Nakshathra demanded, wriggling herself away from her.

"For you."

"What do you mean?"

"I have been anticipating you for a long time, princess. But I did not expect to meet you here. Gods, coincident people call them but for me this meet is an opportunity." Alli grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking Nakshathra to look into her eyes. "An opportunity for me to tell you in person and an opportunity for you to get your people back."

Nakshathra consciousness was fading in and out, each word uttered with pure vengeance made her feel weaker. She was here to save someone but who was going to save her from the wretch woman.

Alli continued. "Looking for your missing people, aren't you, rebellious princess? You know where I am. So, come find me there." She taunted with a dip of sly in her words.

Alli's words gone hardly audible as Nakshathra struggled to keep herself awake; she was sure Alli spoke about missing people. "I'll get to them. You will pay for your sins," her words came out as mumble as she hazily searched for the bloody dagger, she dropped a while ago.

"Sins? It's you who have wronged me!" She spat and struck her palm on Nakshathra's bloodied cheek.

As she kept her hazy gaze locked with Alli's, Nakshathra's free hand scrabble the sandy ground for the dagger in a non-so-obvious manner. After short painful search, the dagger found its way to her.

"After all that you have done, now you people are behaving as if nothing happened?" The back of Alli's hand landed on another cheek of Nakshathra.

She had heard and received enough; it was time she returned Alli's gift. In one weak swing she stabbed the lady at the side of her rib and pulled it out with no sense of pity. She needed the dagger back. A deafening screech of pain boomed in the surrounding, sending birds flutter away.

"Bloody wretch!" Enraged, Alli scavenged the ground for the log but before she could further harm the frail Nakshathra, sounds of footsteps from the forest amplified. "You will pay for this," Alli warned before taking off from the spot and away into the forest leaving trails of blood.

"I told you not to get into this, Nakshathra! Look what happened to you..." A familiar muffled voice blessed her deafening ears.

She had her answer to the question however, her bodily condition didn't allow her to move.

You got to play dirty if you need something. Provided you know what is at stake to get the work done. And this was... somewhat worth it.

Worth it... if she lives... she will she knew but ...

The answer loomed in her head as her consciousness slowly robbed into absolute darkness.